Snubbed truck



Dec. 11, 1956 w. CRABTREE 2,773,456

SNUBBED TRUCK Filed July so, 1952 A IIIIIIIIIIIII/A.

sNUnnED TRUCK Application July 30, 1952, Serial No. 1,663 16 Claims.((31.105-197) This invention relates to railway car trucks and moreparticularly to a truck embodying snubbing means for dampingoscillations of the bolster-supporting springs.

Briefly, the present invention contemplates the provision of truckconstruction in which a truss type side frame is provided with anauxiliary column to be received between spaced legs of aspring-supported bifurcated bolster, the column being formed with upperand lower pockets or openings on opposite sides of a diagonal web tohouse riction shoes for engagement with opposed friction surfaces on thelegs. Resilient means are provided to urge the shoes along the diagonalweb and into frictional engagement with their respective frictionsurfaces on the bolster legs.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a truckconstruction in which the snubbing means is operative to controlvertical, lateral and angular movements of the bolster relative to aside frame. In freight car truck constructions in which the side framesare relatively movable to out-of-square relationship, the snubbing meansacts to maintain the side frames in squared relationship.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a snubbed truckconstruction in which spring seats are provided at opposite ends of theauxiliary column, with springs compressed between the spring seats andtheir associated friction shoes.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a side frame havinga centrally disposed auxiliary column of skeletal construction to housethe friction shoes and actuating means therefor.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of constructionand arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in thespecification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawingwherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary view of a railway car truck embodying featuresof the present invention, the left half being a side elevational viewand the right half being a sectional view taken along the line 11 ofFigure 2,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 ofFigure l, on the transverse center line of the truck, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a structureillustrated in Figure l with the friction shoes and springs removed.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of thisinvention, the snubbed truck is shown as comprising relatively movabletruss type side frames 2, each side frame comprising tension andcompression members 4 and s and spaced upright column 8-3 merging withsaid members to define therewith a bolster opening 10 to receive abolster 12.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the tension member 4 is of box sectionbeneath the bolster opening it) and comprises a bottom chord 14, inboardand outboard walls 16 and 18, an intermediate Wall 20, and a top chord22. The top nited States Patent chord 22 is widened and formed withupstanding inboard and outboard flanges 24 and 26 to provide a springseat 28 for a plurality of bolster-supporting springs diagrammaticallyillustrated at 39, one spring being disposed on' the transverse centerlineof the side frame and two pairs of springs at opposite sides of saidcenter line (see Figure and comprises spaced vertical inboard andoutboard walls 34- and 36 interconnected by upper and lower spring seatwebs 38 and 40 and a diagonal web 42, the spring seat webs being formedwith spring positioning lugs 44. The bolster comprises a bifurcated endhaving spaced legs as and 48 extending generally longitudinally of thebolster to receive the auxiliary column 32 therebetween, each leg beingof box section comprising top and bottom walls St and 52 and spaced sidewalls 54 and 56. Friction plates 58 are Welded or otherwise secured toadjacent sides of the side walls 5454, and guide lugs 6-9 are providedon remote sides of the side Walls 56-56 to engage the outboard sides oftheir respective columns 8-8 to limit spreading movement of the sideframes 2. Relative movement of the side frames toward each other islimited by engagement of the auxiliary column 32 against the adjacentend wall 62 of the bolster 12. I

Similar wedge-shape upper and lower friction shoes 64 and 66 aredisposed between the inboard and outboard walls 34 and 36 of theauxiliary column 32 on opposite sides of the diagonal web 42, each shoecomprising a friction wall 68 engaging its respective friction plate 53,a diagonal wall 7% engaging the diagonal web 42, and a spring seat wall72 formed with a spring positioning lug 74. An actuating spring 76 iscompressed between the web 38 and the spring seat wall 72 of the upperfriction shoe 64, and an actuating spring '78 is compressed between theweb 40 and the spring seat wall 7 2 of the lower friction shoe 66.

During vertical movement of the bolster 12 relative to a side frame 2,the friction shoes 64- and 66 are urged into frictional engagement withtheir respective friction plates 58-58 on the bolster legs 48 and 46,respectively, by means of the springs 76 and 78, respectively, to dampenvertical oscillations of the bolster supporting springs 3%.

Lateral and angular movements of the bolster 12 relathe bolster 12 arelimited by the unyielding engagement 7 of the legs as with therespective column 8-3. it will also be noted that the friction shoes aredisposed in opposed vertical position to be urged laterally to provide aconstant frictional resistance to vertical movement of bolster relativeto the side frame.

The inboard and outboard walls 34 and 36 of the auxiliary column 32 areformed with sets of aligned slots 8th in registry with the friction shoeopenings 82 to receive a suitable tool, such as a bar (not shown) whichserves to hold the shoes in retracted position during assembly anddisassembly of the truck, and will also be noted that said slots permitvisual inspection of the condition of the springs 7 6 and 78 when thetruck is in service.

While this invention has been shown in but one form, it is obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications without departing from the spirit andscope of the claimed invention.

I claim: I

1. In a railway car truck, a truss type side frame having tension andcompression members, a vertical auxiliary column extending between saidmembers and having spaced inboard and outboard walls and a diagonal Webinterconnecting said walls, upper and lower spring seats interconnectingsaid walls, a bolster spring-supported on said frame and comprisingspaced legs at opposite sides of said column, friction shoes projectingoutwardly in opposite directions from within said walls and engagingopposite faces of said diagonal web, and upper and lower resilient meansengaging their respective shoes and seats to urge the shoes in oppositedirections along said web faces into frictional engagement with theirrespective bolster legs to provide a constant 'friction'al resistance tovertical movement of the bolster relative to the side frame.

2. In a railway car truck, a truss type side frame having tension andcompression members, a vertical auxiliary column extending between saidmembers and having spaced inboard and outboard walls and a diagonal webinterconnecting said walls, upper and lower spring seats interconnectingsaid walls, a bolster spring-supported on said frame and comprisingspaced legs at opposite sides of said column, friction shoes projectingoutwardly in opposite directions from within said walls and engagingopposite faces of said diagonal web, and upper and lower resilient meansengaging their respective shoes and seats to urge the shoes in oppositedirections along said web faces into frictional engagement with theirrespective bolster legs to provide a constant frictional resistance tovertical movement of the bolster relative to the side frame, saidbolster being resiliently supported on said side frame by a spring groupcomprising one spring disposed inboardly from said column, and a set oftwo springs at each side of said column engaging said legs.

3. In a side frame having tension and compression members, spaced columninterconnecting said members and defining therewith a window opening, anauxiliary column in said opening extending between said members andcomprising vertically spaced substantially horizontal spring seats, aweb disposed on said auxiliary column intermediate said seats anddiagonally arranged relative thereto, said web presenting wedge urfaceson opposite sides thereof.

4. In a truck structure, aside frame having tension and compressionmembers and a column extending therebetween, said column comprisingspaced inboard and outboard walls, vertically spaced upper and lowerspring seat webs interconnecting said walls, a diagonal web positionedintermediate said webs and interconnecting said wall-s, opposedvertically positioned friction shoes in wedge engagement with oppositefaces of said diagonal web, and upper and lower resilient means reactingbetween their respective upper and lower spring seat webs and shoes.

5. In a truck structure, a side frame having tension and compressionmembers and a column extending therebetween, said column comprisingspaced inboard and outboard walls, vertically spaced upper and lowerspring seat webs interconnecting said walls, a diagonal web spacedbetween said webs and interconnecting said walls, opposed verticallypositioned friction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces ofsaid diagonal web, upper and lower resilient means reacting betweentheir respective upper and lower spring seat webs and shoes, and aresiliently supported bolster having spaced legs receiving said columntherebetween, said legs being frictionally engaged by said shoes.

6. In a truck structure, a side frame having tension and compressionmembers and a column extending therebetween, said column comprisingspaced inboard and outboard walls, vertically spaced upper and lowerspring seat webs interconnecting said walls, a diagonal web spacedbetween said webs and interconnecting said walls, opposed verticallypositioned friction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces ofsaid diagonal web, upper and lower resilient means reacting betweentheir respective upper and lower spring seat webs and shoes, and aresiliently supported bolster having spaced legs receiving aid columntherebetween, said legs being frictionally engaged by said shoes, saidlegs and said shoes having complementary friction surfaces in engagementto resist vertical movement of the bolster relative to the side frame.

'7. In a truck structure, a side frame having tension and compressionmembers and a column extending therebetween, said column comprisingspaced inboard and outboard walls, vertically spaced upper and lowerspring seat webs interconnecting said walls, a diagonal web spacedbetween said webs and interconnecting said walls, opposed verticallypositioned friction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces ofsaid diagonal web, and upper and lower resilient means reacting betweentheir respective upper and lower spring seat webs and shoes, a bolsterspring-supported on said tension member and -hav ing spaced legsreceiving said column there'between, adjacent sides of said legs havingvertical friction surfaces frictionally engaged by complementarysurfaces on adjacent shoes to resist certain movements of the bolsterrelative to the side frame.

8. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members, a bolster spring-supported on said side frame and having abifurcated end providing spaced legs having opposed friction facesdisposed at opposite sides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliarycolumn having a diagonal web disposed between said legs, and wedgeshapefriction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonalweb and frictionally engaging their related friction faces on saidbolster legs.

9. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss 'type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members, a bolster spring supported on said side frame and having abifurcated end providing spaced legs having opposed friction facesdisposed at opposite "sides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliarycolumn having a diagonal web disposed between said legs, and wedgeshapefriction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonalweb and frictionally engaging their related friction faces on saidbolster legs, said auxiliary column having upper and lower spring seatwebs, and upper and lower resilient means compressed between theirassociated spring seat webs and shoes to urge the latter into frictionalengagement against their respective friction faces on the bolster legs.

10. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members, a bolster spring supported on said side frame and having abifurcated end providing spaced legs having opposed friction facesdisposed at opposite sides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliarycolumn having a diagonal web disposed between said legs, and wedgeshapefriction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonalweb and frictionally engaging their related friction faces on saidbolster legs, said auxiliary column having upper and lower spring seatwebs, and re silient means compressed between their associated springseat webs and shoes to urge the latter into frictional engagementagainst their respective friction faces on the bolster legs, saidauxiliary column having inboard and N h-i outboard walls interconnectedby said spring seat webs and diagonal web to define pockets 'to receivesaid shoes and their respective resilient means.

11. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members, "a bolster spring-supported on said side frame and havinga bifurcated end providing spaced legs having opposed friction facesdisposed at opposite sides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliarycolumn having a diagonal web disposed between said legs, and wedgeshapefriction shoes in wedge engagement with the opposite faces of saiddiagonal web and frictionally engaging their related friction faces onsaid bolster legs, said auxiliary column having upper and lower springseat webs, and resilient means compressed between their associa-tedspring seat webs and shoes to urge the latter into frictional engagement[against their respective friction faces on the bolster legs, saidauxiliary column having inboard and outboard walls interconnected bysaid spring seat webs and diagonal web to define pockets to receive saidshoes and their respective resilient means, said in board and outboardwalls having sets of aligned slots, and said shoes having openings inregistry with their related sets of slots to receive a tool to retractthe shoes.

12. In a railway car truck, la side frame having tension and compressionmembers, spaced column interconnecting said members and defining awindow opening therewith, a bolster resiliently supported by said framein said window, an auxiliary column in said opening extending betweensaid members, wedge surfaces on said column adjacent said bolster, and aplurality of friction shoes in engagement with said surfaces [and saidbolster, a spring for each shoe having its opposite ends engaging theshoe and the frame and reacting therebetween, one of said springs urgingits related shoe in a downwardly direction, and the other of saidsprings urging its related shoe in an upwardly direction.

13. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members and having upper and lower spring seats, a bolsterspring-supported on said side frame land having a bifurcated endproviding spaced legs having opposed friction faces disposed at oppositesides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliary column having a diagonalweb disposed between said legs, upper and lower wedgeshape frictionshoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonal web andfrictionally engaged against their related friction faces on saidbolster legs, upper and lower compression springs, each reacting againstone of said seats and one of said shoes, the remote sides of saidbolster legs being spaced from the spaced columns defining a bolsteropening, the auxiliary column being spaced at greater distance from saidfriction faces than the distance between the spaced columns and saidlegs, whereby longitudinal movement of the side frame relative to thebolster causes engagement of the legs with their adjacent spaced columnswithout contact of the legs with the auxiliary column.

14. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members 'and having upper and lower spring seats, a bolster springsupported on said side frame and having a bifurcated end providingspaced legs having opposed fri'ot-ion faces disposed at opposite sidesof said auxiliary column, said auxiliary column having a diagonal webdisposed between said legs, upper and lower wedgeshape friction shoes inwedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonal web andfrictionally engaged against their related friction faces on saidbolster legs, upper and lower compression springs, each reacting againstone of said seats and one of said shoes, each bolster leg being engagedby a pair of truck springs seated on said tension member.

15. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss type sideframes, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tension andcompression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary column centrallydisposed within said bolster opening and extending vertically betweensaid members and having upper and lower spring seats, a bolsterspring-supported on said side frame and having a bifurcated endproviding spaced legs having opposed friction faces disposed at oppositesides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliary column having a diagonalWeb disposed between said legs, wedge-shape friction shoes in wedgeengagement with opposite faces of said diagonal web and frictionallyengaged against their related friction faces on said bolster legs, upperand lower compression springs, each reacting against one of said seatsand one of said shoes, each bolster leg being engaged by a pair of trucksprings seated on said tension member, and each end of the bolster beingengaged by a truck spring disposed inbo ardly of the auxiliary columnand seated on the tension member.

'16. In a railway car truck, a pair of relatively movable truss typeside frames, each side frame having a bolster opening defined by tensionand compression members and spaced columns, an auxiliary columncentrally disposed Within said bolster opening and extending verticallybetween said members and having upper and lower spring seats, a bolsterspring-supported on said side frame and having a bifurcated endproviding spaced legs having opposed friction faces disposed latopposite sides of said auxiliary column, said auxiliary column having adiagonal web disposed between said legs, upper and lower wedgeshapefriction shoes in wedge engagement with opposite faces of said diagonalweb land frictionally engaged against their related friction faces onsaid bolster legs, upper and lower compression springs, each reactingagainst one of said seats and one of said shoes, said friction facesbeing disposed in vertical planes, and said friction shoes havingsurfaces complementary to their related friction faces and to the facesof the diagonal web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,444,009 Grigsby June 22, 1948 2,536,975 Cottrell Jan. 2, 19512,587,512 Neum'ann et al. Feb. 26, 1952

